System and method for enabling product development

ABSTRACT

A comprehensive platform for developing digital products. A standardized process is applied to a product development effort and an online portal provides tools to aid the product development, assessment, funding and commercializing products. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between users. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims the benefit ofU.S. Application Ser. No. 12/640,550 entitled “System and Method forAdjusting Intake Based on Intellectual Property Asset Data” filed Dec.17, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to product development, andmore particularly, to providing an automated platform to enable productdevelopment, design and transactions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The marketplace for intellectual property (IP) assets tends tounderperform due to several issues. For example, the marketplace isfragmented and the marketplace generally lacks defined channels forbuyers, sellers and service providers to find each other and transact.The marketplace also lacks standardization in that many potential dealseither never materialize or are not completed because of a lack ofstandards, centralized knowledge and best practices. Moreover, many IPtransactors (buyers and sellers) lack the tools to accomplish the stepsthat comprise a successful IP transaction. Attempts to address thesefragmentation and standardization issues include trying to consolidateIP transactors within specific industries and creating seller specificsolutions. However, these attempts fall short of providing a universal,end-to-end solution.

As such, a long felt need exists for a universal, end-to-end, automated,standards driven IP marketplace solution that is open to all or a subsetof IP transactors, regardless of industry, and that providesstandardized tools to help IP sellers identify, value and market theirIP.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Methods and systems provide a member of an IP Marketplace (IP owners,buyers, consultants, etc.) with various functionality for facilitatingdevelopment and commercialization of assets (e.g., digital products andservices). In one embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 includes functionalityto enable opportunity, product and/or service development, evolution,refinement and funding. This “Start Up Zone” area of IP marketplace maybe used by an entity to organize, design, develop, showcase, receivefeedback, receive expert advice, construct, fund, market and sell IPsuch as a digital product or a digital service (collectively, “digitalproduct”).

IP Marketplace 115 is configured to facilitate the application ofstandardized processes to a product development lifecycle (e.g., for anentrepreneur). In an embodiment, information associated with anopportunity may be entered according to a standardized process. Forinstance, Start Up Zone presents a first question in a template, wherethe template includes fields which request standardized data forassessing the standardized product. The Start Up Zone receives aresponse to the first question and the first response is stored in anasset database as standardized data associated with the opportunity. TheStart Up Zone determines a second question based at least partially uponthe response to the first question. In an embodiment, based upon thisinteractive assessment process, the Start Up Zone configures an onlineportal for the user that provides a plurality of tools to the user. TheStart Up Zone may acquire (e.g. via user input) opportunity data suchas, for example, a title, a description, a product image, a link toproduct information. The Start Up Zone may validate the opportunity databased upon predefined rules. The user may perform a digital upload ofthe digital product to the Start Up Zone.

In various embodiments, the IP Marketplace system provides user andorganizational registration and profiling, IP disclosure and approval,valuing and rating of IP assets, merchandising and cataloging,customized searches and IP matching algorithms, referral services, dealnegotiation, transaction execution, marketing tools, collaborationtools, IP asset management (e.g., royalty and maintenance feemanagement), and data collection and reporting.

The IP Marketplace system may provide a template that requestsstandardized data for characterizing intellectual property (IP) assets.The system receives IP documentation for an IP asset and a portion ofthe IP documentation includes the standardized data. The IPdocumentation is validated, and in one embodiment, the system obtainsapproval from the IP owner of the data collected for the IP asset. Alogic engine accesses algorithms and inputs data from both internal andexternal data sources, then creates a valuation and a rating of the IPasset.

The IP Marketplace generates a summary of the IP asset which includes amarketing document used to market the IP asset to potential buyers. Aproject is set up for the commercialization of the IP asset and theproject may be based upon a standardized workflow for executing an IPtransaction. Permissions are associated with the IP documentation andother data stored for an IP asset. The IP Marketplace may enable variouslevels of permissions to accommodate the complex set of users, data andsteps associated with an IP transaction.

In an embodiment, the system receives an inquiry from a buyer thatincludes requested IP asset attributes. The system matches the requestto the IP asset using a proprietary matching algorithm. The system mayfacilitate consummation of the IP transaction by generating atransaction task list for an asset based upon a standardized IPtransaction workflow. The may also track the status of a plurality oftasks that comprise the transaction task list. The system also provideslogistical support by providing referrals for service providers (e.g.,lawyers, valuation experts, etc.) and by identifying resources such as,for example, meeting rooms that can be accessed by transactionparticipants. The system further provides comprehensive IPcommercialization support by enabling post-transaction activities, suchas tracking patent maintenance fee payments and calculating royaltypayments.

In an embodiment, a computer-based system receives opportunity datacomprising a title, a description and, a product image for a product ora link to product information for a product. The system receives adigital upload comprising the product and validates the opportunity dataand/or the product. In an embodiment, the validation may be based uponpredefined rules. In response to the validating, the system facilitatesaccess to the product by a first evaluator. The system receives feedbackassociated with the product and calculates a product score for theproduct. In an embodiment, the product score is at least partially basedupon the feedback.

In one embodiment, a user device receives a first question in aninteractive assessment template. The template may include fields whichrequest standardized data for assessing an opportunity. The user devicesends a first response to the first question. In an embodiment, thefirst response indicates that the first user is at least one of anentrepreneur and an inventor. In response to the sending the firstresponse, the user device receives a second question which is determinedbased at least partially upon the first response to the first question.The user devices sends a second response to the second question and areceiving computer associates the second response with the standardizeddata. The user device receives access to an online portal, thatcomprises a plurality of tools for developing at least one of theopportunity and a product associated with the opportunity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present inventions may be derivedby referring to the detailed description and claims when considered inconnection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer tosimilar elements throughout the Figures, and:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a high level conceptual designfor enabling an IP marketplace, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating major system components forenabling an IP marketplace, in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process for enabling IPcommercialization, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process for disclosingIP asset information, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The systems and methods provide an improved, tangible, integrated,online IP marketplace. An embodiment may be implemented by a system,computer readable medium or a method or any combination thereof. Thesystems and methods include a unique combination of one or more featuresassociated with an IP marketplace. In one embodiment, the systemprovides a marketplace for interested buyers and sellers to engage in IPtransactions. The system may be implemented as a web-based system thatprovides a process for managing the marketing and sales process oflicensing and commercializing IP assets. A transaction platform (ortransaction engine) consolidates the processes necessary for sellers topresent their available IP, thereby allowing for a more efficient,standardized process for bringing IP to the market. The system enables aone-stop shopping resource for buyers of IP, providing not only amarketplace for available IP, but centralized access to serviceproviders. In one embodiment, the system facilitates deal negotiationand execution, while also providing search and referral services for IPresources.

Exemplary benefits of the system include providing standardized data,processes, and valuation and rating methods for a product developmentonline portal. The members of the community (e.g., entrepreneurs)benefit by the efficiency and transparency created by thisstandardization. Sellers are better able to design, develop, market andcommercialize products and services and buyers benefit from being ableto perform comparative analysis for products and services that arepresented in a standardized manner.

An IP marketplace provides new revenue streams to the IP owners byhelping to merchandise IP assets. Efficiencies are gained by creating acommunity of IP owners, industry professionals, sellers and serviceproviders that transact across a common platform.

While the embodiments described herein are described in sufficientdetail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, itshould be understood that other embodiments may be realized and thatlogical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the detailed description hereinis presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation.

For the sake of brevity, conventional data networking, applicationdevelopment and other functional aspects of the systems (and componentsof the individual operating components of the systems) may not bedescribed in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown inthe various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplaryfunctional relationships and/or physical couplings between the variouselements. It should be noted that many alternative or additionalfunctional relationships or physical connections may be present in apractical system.

In one embodiment, the system includes a user interface (UI), a softwaremodule, logic engines, numerous databases and computer networks. Whilethe system may contemplate upgrades or reconfigurations of existingprocessing systems, changes to existing databases and system tools arenot necessarily required by the system and method.

While the description references specific technologies, hardware,equipment, system architectures and data management techniques,practitioners will appreciate that this description is but oneembodiment and that other devices and/or methods may be implementedwithout departing from the scope of the invention. Similarly, while thedescription may reference a user interfacing with the system via apersonal computer user interface, practitioners will appreciate thatother interfaces may include mobile devices, kiosks and handheld devicessuch as personal digital assistants.

“Entity” may include any individual, consumer, consumer, group,business, organization, entrepreneur, investor, government entity,transaction account issuer or processor (e.g., credit, charge, etc),merchant, consortium of merchants, consumer, account holder, charitableorganization, software, hardware, and/or any other entity.

An “account”, “account number” or “consumer account” as used herein, mayinclude any device, code (e.g., one or more of an authorization/accesscode, personal identification number (“PIN”), Internet code, otheridentification code, and/or the like), number, letter, symbol, digitalcertificate, smart chip, digital signal, analog signal, biometric orother identifier/indicia suitably configured to allow the consumer toaccess, interact with or communicate with the system. The account numbermay optionally be located on or associated with a rewards account,charge account, credit account, debit account, prepaid account,telephone card, embossed card, smart card, magnetic stripe card, barcode card, transponder, radio frequency card or an associated account.The system may include or interface with any of the foregoing accountsor devices, or a transponder and RFID reader in RF communication withthe transponder (which may include a fob). Typical devices may include,for example, a key ring, tag, card, cell phone, wristwatch or any suchform capable of being presented for interrogation. Moreover, the system,computing unit or device discussed herein may include a “pervasivecomputing device,” which may include a traditionally non-computerizeddevice that is embedded with a computing unit. Examples may includewatches, Internet enabled kitchen appliances, restaurant tables embeddedwith RF readers, wallets or purses with imbedded transponders, etc.

The account number may be distributed and stored in any form of plastic,electronic, magnetic, radio frequency, wireless, audio and/or opticaldevice capable of transmitting or downloading data from itself to asecond device. A consumer account number may be, for example, asixteen-digit account number, although each credit provider has its ownnumbering system, such as the fifteen-digit numbering system used byAmerican Express. Each company's account numbers comply with thatcompany's standardized format such that the company using afifteen-digit format will generally use three-spaced sets of numbers, asrepresented by the number “0000 000000 00000”. The first five to sevendigits are reserved for processing purposes and identify the issuingbank, account type, etc. In this example, the last (fifteenth) digit isused as a sum check for the fifteen digit number. The intermediaryeight-to-eleven digits are used to uniquely identify the consumer. Amerchant account number may be, for example, any number or alpha-numericcharacters that identify a particular merchant for purposes of accountacceptance, account reconciliation, reporting, or the like.

A “transaction account” may include any account that may be used tofacilitate a financial transaction. A financial institution ortransaction account issuer includes any entity that offers transactionaccount services to consumers. Although often referred to as a“financial institution,” the financial institution may represent anytype of bank, lender or other type of account issuing institution, suchas credit card companies, card sponsoring companies, or third partyissuers under contract with financial institutions. It is further notedthat other participants may be involved in some phases of thetransaction, such as an intermediary settlement institution, but theseparticipants are not shown.

An “owner,” “IP owner,” or “seller” may include any entity that owns,owns a majority interest, owns a minority interest, owns any portion,controls, has a right to exploit, or is authorized to convey (e.g., anagent or lawyer) any asset (e.g., an IP asset such as a patent).

A “buyer” may include any entity that purchases goods, services, assets,rights, or IP. For example, a buyer may acquire rights to an IP asset,purchase (via an assignment) an IP asset or may purchase a license torights associated with an IP asset.

A “financial processor,” “payment network,” or “payment system” or“transaction account issuer” may include any entity which processestransactions, issues accounts, acquires financial information, settlesaccounts, conducts dispute resolution regarding accounts, and/or thelike.

FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of a high level conceptual design forenabling an IP marketplace. Participants in the online marketplace mayinclude both member and non-member sellers, buyers and serviceproviders. These participants interact with the IP marketplace platformvia user interfaces. In various embodiments, the platform may includetemplates (and logic engines for dynamically creating templates), accessto user profiles and history, models (e.g., for valuating and/or ratingan IP asset), research tools and access to news.

With reference now to FIG. 1B, an exemplary block diagram illustratingmajor system components for enabling an IP marketplace is presented.System 100 facilitates interaction between a user 105 and IP Marketplace115 through, in one embodiment, client 110 with a network connection toan Internet server 125 by way of the Internet. In one embodiment,Internet server 125 employs authentication server 130 to validatecredentials, assign proper permissions, and retrieve preferencesinformation for authorized user's 105 of IP Marketplace 115.

In an embodiment, Internet server 125 employs application server 145 tomanage various applications and utilities that are utilized by system100. In an embodiment application server utilizes APL+Win, and JBOSSutilizing SEAM, Richfaces JBPM, and other Java libraries (jQuery andJavascript), JAX-WS, Apache POI, and Quartz. In various embodiments,Internet server 125 interacts directly with the various systems andcomponents disclosed herein.

System 100 may include any number of computing platforms and databasessuch as, for example, IP merchandising and transaction engine (IP MATE)147, workflow engine 148 and IP asset database 150. Other systems mayinclude, for example, accounting systems, financial transaction systems,reporting systems, new accounts systems, management information systems,business information systems, external data sources, proprietary systemsand the like. Each of the systems may be interconnected within by anetwork in via any method and/or device described herein. A middlewareserver and/or application server 145 may serve as an intermediarybetween the various systems to ensure appropriate communications betweendisparate platforms. A report engine retrieves and/or is provided withdata from certain of the various systems in order to generate notices,bills, contracts, messages, audit reports, and the like.

System 100, IP Marketplace 115 and/or any other components discussedherein may further include one or more of the following: a host serveror other computing systems including a processor for processing digitaldata; a memory coupled to the processor for storing digital data; aninput digitizer coupled to the processor for inputting digital data; anapplication program stored in the memory and accessible by the processorfor directing processing of digital data by the processor; a displaydevice coupled to the processor and memory for displaying informationderived from digital data processed by the processor; and a plurality ofdatabases.

As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, one or moreof the components of system 100 may be embodied as a customization of anexisting system, an add-on product, upgraded software, a stand alonesystem (e.g., kiosk), a distributed system, a method, a data processingsystem, a device for data processing, a computer and/or a computerprogram product. Accordingly, individual system 100 components may takethe form of an entirely software embodiment, an entirely hardwareembodiment, or an embodiment combining aspects of both software andhardware. In one embodiment, a system 100 component (e.g. a computer)may include a processor, a memory, a communications interface, a networkinterface, etc. Furthermore, individual system 100 components may takethe form of a computer program product on a computer-readable storagemedium having computer-readable program code means embodied in thestorage medium. Any suitable computer-readable storage medium may beutilized, including hard disks, CD-ROM, flash memory, optical storagedevices, magnetic storage devices, and/or the like.

The system contemplates uses in association with web services,transaction processing, utility computing, pervasive and individualizedcomputing, security and identity solutions, autonomic computing,commodity computing, mobility and wireless solutions, open source,biometrics, grid computing and/or mesh computing.

User 105 may include any buyer, seller, IP owner, individual, customer,group of individuals, charity, cardholder, business, entity, governmentorganization, software and/or hardware that utilizes system 100 oraccesses system 100 functionality. User 105 may include, for example, apotential buyer of IP assets, a full member of the IP marketplace, apartial member, a service provider, etc. User 105 may also include anyconsumer that has a transaction account with a transaction accountissuer. User 105 may also include anyone who applied for the account,currently has the card in her possession, has proxy or other rights touse or maintain the account, is partially or fully responsible to paythe charges on the account and/or the like. User 105 may include aconsumer who uses an account code without any physical card, uses atransponder, and/or uses a physical transaction card, to purchase itemswhich are billed on the billing statement discussed herein. In variousembodiments, user 105 may interface with IP Marketplace 115 via anycommunication protocol, device or method discussed herein or known inthe art. For example, user 105 may interact with IP Marketplace 115 byway of an Internet browser at client 110.

Client 110 comprises any hardware and/or software suitably configured tofacilitate requesting, retrieving, updating, analyzing, entering and/ormodifying data. For example, in one embodiment, client 110 is configuredto facilitate input, receipt, presentations, analysis and/or review ofinformation relating to IP assets, merchandising of IP assets andfacilitating IP transactions. Client 110 includes any device (e.g.,personal computer) which communicates (in any manner discussed herein)with IP Marketplace 115 via any network discussed herein. Such browserapplications comprise Internet browsing software installed within acomputing unit or system to conduct online transactions and/orcommunications. These computing units or systems may take the form of acomputer or set of computers, although other types of computing units orsystems may be used, including laptops, notebooks, hand held computers,set-top boxes, workstations, computer-servers, main frame computers,mini-computers, PC servers, pervasive computers, network sets ofcomputers, and/or the like. Practitioners will appreciate that client110 may or may not be in direct contact with IP Marketplace 115. Forexample, client 110 may access the services of IP Marketplace 115through another server, which may have a direct or indirect connectionto Internet server 125. Client 110 may be mobile or may be located in ahome or business environment with access to a network. In an exemplaryembodiment, access is through a network or the Internet through acommercially-available web-browser software package.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, client 110 includes anoperating system (e.g., Windows NT, 95/98/2000, OS2, UNIX, Linux,Solaris, MacOS, Android, iPhone OS etc.) as well as various conventionalsupport software and drivers typically associated with computers orcomputing devices. Client 110 may include any suitable personalcomputer, mobile device, phone, network computer, workstation,minicomputer, mainframe or the like. Client 110 can be in a home orbusiness environment with access to a network. In an exemplaryembodiment, access is through a network or the Internet through acommercially available web-browser software package.

Client 110 may be independently, separately or collectively suitablycoupled to the network via data links which includes, for example, aconnection to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) over the local loop asis typically used in connection with standard modem communication, cablemodem, Dish networks, ISDN, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or variouswireless communication methods, see, e.g., Gilbert Held, UnderstandingData Communications (1996), which is hereby incorporated by reference.It is noted that the network may be implemented as other types ofnetworks, such as an interactive television (ITV) network.

Client 110 may include any number of applications, code modules,cookies, and the like to facilitate interaction with IP Marketplace 115in order to, for example, input data, complete templates/forms, viewreports, validate data, approve data, review IP asset info, participatein a negotiation, review due diligence documents, respond to a survey,and the like. In one embodiment, client 110 may store user 105preferences and/or any other information disclosed herein on a harddrive or any other local memory device. Accordingly, client 110 mayretrieve and store consumer information within a memory structure ofclient 110 in the form of a browser cookie, for example. In anotherembodiment, client 110 retrieves information relating to user 105 fromIP Marketplace 115 on establishing a session with Internet server 125.

In an embodiment, client 110 may be any mobile device which is at leastintermittently connectable to a network and configured to run acustomizable micro-application (hereinafter “micro-app”). The micro-appis configured, in one embodiment, to receive inputs from a user inputand to use the processor and the memory. Client 110 may be asmart-phone, including for example a mobile telephone configured with aPalm mobile operating system, a Windows mobile operating system, anAndroid Operating System, Apple iOS, a Blackberry operating system andthe like, a tablet PC, including for example an iPad, a portableelectronic device, including for example a PDA, an iPod Touch, and thelike, or any other suitable mobile device. In an embodiment, client 110may be configured with a user interface which may take the form of amicro-app or any other suitable interface. The micro-app may beconfigured, for example, to conduct various activities, including,sorting transactions, paying with points, transferring points, applyinga credit to a transaction, and/or the like. For example, in anembodiment, the micro-app accesses (via the mobile device) an onlineportal and receives feedback associated with an opportunity and/or aproduct.

Firewall 120, as used herein, may comprise any hardware and/or softwaresuitably configured to protect IP Marketplace 115 components from usersof other networks. Firewall 120 may reside in varying configurationsincluding stateful inspection, proxy based and packet filtering amongothers. Firewall 120 may be integrated as software within Internetserver 125, any other IP Marketplace 115 components or may reside withinanother computing device or may take the form of a standalone hardwarecomponent. Although depicted as a single firewall in FIG. 1, one skilledin the art will recognize that a firewall or multiple firewalls may beimplemented throughout system 100 to enable system and data security.

Internet server 125 may include any hardware and/or software suitablyconfigured to facilitate communications between client 110 and one ormore IP Marketplace 115 components. Further, Internet server 125 may beconfigured to transmit data to client 110 within markup languagedocuments (e.g., XML, HTML, etc.). As used herein, “data” may includeencompassing information such as commands, queries, files, data forstorage, and/or the like in digital or any other form. Internet server125 may operate as a single entity in a single physical location or asseparate computing components located together or in separate physicallocations.

Internet server 125 may provide a suitable web site or otherInternet-based graphical user interface which is accessible byconsumers. In an embodiment, Internet server 125 employs RedHat LinuxEnterprise 5.x Server and Apache Http server. In one embodiment, theMicrosoft Internet Information Server (IIS), Microsoft TransactionServer (MTS), and Microsoft SQL Server, are used in conjunction with theMicrosoft operating system, Microsoft NT web server software, aMicrosoft SQL Server database system, and a Microsoft Commerce Server.Additionally, components such as Access or Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle,Sybase, Informix MySQL, InterBase, etc., may be used to provide anActive Data Object (ADO) compliant database management system.

Any of the communications, inputs, storage, databases or displaysdiscussed herein may be facilitated through a web site having web pages.The term “web page” as it is used herein is not meant to limit the typeof documents and applications that might be used to interact with theuser. For example, a typical web site might include, in addition tostandard HTML documents, various forms, Java applets, JavaScript, activeserver pages (ASP), common gateway interface scripts (CGI), extensiblemarkup language (XML), dynamic HTML, cascading style sheets (CSS),helper applications, plug-ins, and/or the like. A server may include aweb service that receives a request from a web server, the requestincluding a URL (e.g. http://yahoo.com/stockquotes/ge) and an IP address(e.g. 123.4.56.789). The web server retrieves the appropriate web pagesand sends the data or applications for the web pages to the IP address.Web services are applications that are capable of interacting with otherapplications over a communications means, such as the Internet. Webservices are typically based on standards or protocols such as XML,SOAP, WSDL and UDDI. Web services methods are well known in the art, andare covered in many standard texts. See, e.g., Alex Nghiem, IT WebServices: A Roadmap for the Enterprise (2003), hereby incorporated byreference.

In order to control access to components of IP Marketplace 115, Internetserver 125 may invoke authentication server 130 in response to user 105submissions of authentication credentials received at Internet server125 from client 110. Authentication server 130 may include any hardwareand/or software suitably configured to receive authenticationcredentials, encrypt and decrypt credentials, authenticate credentials,and grant access rights according to privileges (e.g., pre-definedprivileges) attached to the credentials. Authentication server 130 maygrant varying degrees of application and data level access to usersbased on information stored within a database and/or any other knownmemory structure.

IP MATE 147 comprises hardware and/or software modules that executeprocesses, access data from IP asset database 150 and interact withworkflow engine 148 to enable the functionality of IP Marketplace 115.

Workflow engine 148 comprises hardware and/or software modules thatimplement process definition, tracking and execution. Workflow engine148 may comprise one or more software applications, modules or dataobjects. The software may be any executable code written in any softwareprogramming language, such as, for example Java®. For example, workflowengine 148 reads data from IP asset database 150 and instantiates a dataobject (e.g. a Java Bean®) to store the data for use by software modulesor other objects. In one embodiment, workflow engine 148 executes anautomated or partially automated process such as a price negotiation oran auction. In an embodiment, workflow engine 148 enables users 105 todocument a process and track progress toward completion of the process.Workflow engine 145 reads schedules, sends notices and triggers reportcreation.

IP asset database 150 may include any hardware and/or software suitablyconfigured to facilitate storing data relating to, for example, IPassets, legal documents, marketing documents, tracking and status data,schedules, transactions, statements, amounts owed, payments,authentication credentials, user permissions, consumer preferences, andthe like. In one embodiment IP asset database 150 stores standardizedtemplates and stores IP asset data submitted in standardized form anddivided or parsed into separate data (e.g., data elements orattributes).

One skilled in the art will appreciate that system 100 may employ anynumber of databases in any number of configurations. Further, anydatabases discussed herein may be any type of database, such asrelational, hierarchical, graphical, object-oriented, and/or otherdatabase configurations. Common database products that may be used toimplement the databases include DB2 by IBM (White Plains, N.Y.), variousdatabase products available from Oracle Corporation (Redwood Shores,Calif.), Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL Server by MicrosoftCorporation (Redmond, Wash.), or any other suitable database product.Moreover, the databases may be organized in any suitable manner, forexample, as data tables or lookup tables. Each record may be a singlefile, a series of files, a linked series of data fields or any otherdata structure. Association of certain data may be accomplished throughany desired data association technique such as those known or practicedin the art. For example, the association may be accomplished eithermanually or automatically. Automatic association techniques may include,for example, a database search, a database merge, GREP, AGREP, SQL,using a key field in the tables to speed searches, sequential searchesthrough all the tables and files, sorting records in the file accordingto a known order to simplify lookup, and/or the like. The associationstep may be accomplished by a database merge function, for example,using a “key field” in pre-selected databases or data sectors.

More particularly, a “key field” partitions the database according tothe high-level class of objects defined by the key field. For example,certain types of data may be designated as a key field in a plurality ofrelated data tables and the data tables may then be linked on the basisof the type of data in the key field. The data corresponding to the keyfield in each of the linked data tables is preferably the same or of thesame type. However, data tables having similar, though not identical,data in the key fields may also be linked by using AGREP, for example.In accordance with one aspect of system 100, any suitable data storagetechnique may be utilized to store data without a standard format. Datasets may be stored using any suitable technique, including, for example,storing individual files using an ISO/IEC 7816-4 file structure;implementing a domain whereby a dedicated file is selected that exposesone or more elementary files containing one or more data sets; usingdata sets stored in individual files using a hierarchical filing system;data sets stored as records in a single file (including compression, SQLaccessible, hashed via one or more keys, numeric, alphabetical by firsttuple, etc.); Binary Large Object (BLOB); stored as ungrouped dataelements encoded using ISO/IEC 7816-6 data elements; stored as ungroupeddata elements encoded using ISO/IEC Abstract Syntax Notation (ASN.1) asin ISO/IEC 8824 and 8825; and/or other proprietary techniques that mayinclude fractal compression methods, image compression methods, etc.

In one embodiment, the ability to store a wide variety of information indifferent formats is facilitated by storing the information as a BLOB.Thus, any binary information can be stored in a storage space associatedwith a data set. As discussed above, the binary information may bestored on the financial transaction instrument or external to butaffiliated with the financial transaction instrument. The BLOB methodmay store data sets as ungrouped data elements formatted as a block ofbinary via a fixed memory offset using either fixed storage allocation,circular queue techniques, or best practices with respect to memorymanagement (e.g., paged memory, least recently used, etc.). By usingBLOB methods, the ability to store various data sets that have differentformats facilitates the storage of data associated with system 100 bymultiple and unrelated owners of the data sets. For example, a firstdata set which may be stored may be provided by a first party, a seconddata set which may be stored may be provided by an unrelated secondparty, and yet a third data set which may be stored, may be provided byan third party unrelated to the first and second party. Each of thesethree exemplary data sets may contain different information that isstored using different data storage formats and/or techniques. Further,each data set may contain subsets of data that also may be distinct fromother subsets.

As stated above, in various embodiments of system 100, the data can bestored without regard to a common format. However, in one exemplaryembodiment, the data set (e.g., BLOB) may be annotated in a standardmanner when provided for manipulating the data onto the financialtransaction instrument. The annotation may comprise a short header,trailer, or other appropriate indicator related to each data set that isconfigured to convey information useful in managing the various datasets. For example, the annotation may be called a “condition header”,“header”, “trailer”, or “status”, herein, and may comprise an indicationof the status of the data set or may include an identifier correlated toa specific issuer or owner of the data. In one example, the first threebytes of each data set BLOB may be configured or configurable toindicate the status of that particular data set; e.g., LOADED,INITIALIZED, READY, BLOCKED, REMOVABLE, or DELETED. Subsequent bytes ofdata may be used to indicate for example, the identity of the issuer,user, transaction/membership account identifier or the like. Each ofthese condition annotations are further discussed herein.

The data set annotation may also be used for other types of statusinformation as well as various other purposes. For example, the data setannotation may include security information establishing access levels.The access levels may, for example, be configured to permit only certainindividuals, levels of employees, companies, or other entities to accessdata sets, or to permit access to specific data sets based on thetransaction, merchant, issuer, user or the like. Furthermore, thesecurity information may restrict/permit only certain actions such asaccessing, modifying, and/or deleting data sets. In one example, thedata set annotation indicates that only the data set owner or the userare permitted to delete a data set, various identified users may bepermitted to access the data set for reading, and others are altogetherexcluded from accessing the data set. However, other access restrictionparameters may also be used allowing various entities to access a dataset with various permission levels as appropriate.

The data, including the header or trailer may be received by astand-alone interaction device configured to add, delete, modify, oraugment the data in accordance with the header or trailer. As such, inone embodiment, the header or trailer is not stored on the transactiondevice along with the associated issuer-owned data but instead theappropriate action may be taken by providing to the transactioninstrument user at the stand-alone device, the appropriate option forthe action to be taken. System 100 contemplates a data storagearrangement wherein the header or trailer, or header or trailer history,of the data is stored on the transaction instrument in relation to theappropriate data.

One skilled in the art will also appreciate that, for security reasons,any databases, systems, devices, servers or other components of system100 may consist of any combination thereof at a single location or atmultiple locations, wherein each database or system 100 includes any ofvarious suitable security features, such as firewalls, access codes,encryption, decryption, compression, decompression, and/or the like.

As used herein, the term “network” shall include any electroniccommunications means which incorporates both hardware and softwarecomponents of such. Communication among the parties in accordance withthe present invention may be accomplished through any suitablecommunication channels, such as, for example, a telephone network, anextranet, an intranet, Internet, point of interaction device (point ofsale device, personal digital assistant, cellular phone, kiosk, etc.),online communications, satellite communications, off-linecommunications, wireless communications, transponder communications,local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), networked or linkeddevices, keyboard, mouse and/or any suitable communication or data inputmodality. Moreover, although the invention is frequently describedherein as being implemented with TCP/IP communications protocols, theinvention may also be implemented using IPX, Appletalk, IP-6, NetBIOS,OSI or any number of existing or future protocols. If the network is inthe nature of a public network, such as the Internet, it may beadvantageous to presume the network to be insecure and open toeavesdroppers. Specific information related to the protocols, standards,and application software utilized in connection with the Internet isgenerally known to those skilled in the art and, as such, need not bedetailed herein. See, for example, Dilip Naik, Internet Standards AndProtocols (1998); Java 2 Complete, various authors, (Sybex 1999);Deborah Ray And Eric Ray, Mastering Html 4.0 (1997); and Loshin, TCP/IPClearly Explained (1997) and David Gourley and Brian Totty, HTTP, TheDefinitive Guide (2002), the contents of which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

The invention may be described herein in terms of functional blockcomponents, screen shots, optional selections and various processingsteps. It should be appreciated that such functional blocks may berealized by any number of hardware and/or software components configuredto perform the specified functions. For example, system 100 may employvarious integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, processingelements, logic elements, look-up tables, and/or the like, which maycarry out a variety of functions under the control of one or moremicroprocessors or other control devices.

Similarly, the software elements of system 100 may be implemented withany programming or scripting language such as C, C++, Java, COBOL,assembler, PERL, Visual Basic, SQL Stored Procedures, extensible markuplanguage (XML), with the various algorithms being implemented with anycombination of data structures, objects, processes, routines or otherprogramming elements. Software elements (e.g., modules, engines, etc)may be implemented as a web service. In an embodiment, web services areimplemented using Webservice Interoperability Organization Basic Profile1.1.

Further, it should be noted that system 100 may employ any number ofconventional techniques for data transmission, signaling, dataprocessing, network control, and/or the like. Still further, system 100could be used to detect or prevent security issues with a client-sidescripting language, such as JavaScript, VBScript or the like. For abasic introduction of cryptography and network security, see any of thefollowing references: (1) “Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms,And Source Code In C,” by Bruce Schneier, published by John Wiley & Sons(second edition, 1995); (2) “Java Cryptography” by Jonathan Knudson,published by O'Reilly & Associates (1998); (3) “Cryptography & NetworkSecurity: Principles & Practice” by William Stallings, published byPrentice Hall; all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

These software elements may be loaded onto a general purpose computer,special purpose computer, or other programmable data processingapparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions that executeon the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus createmeans for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block orblocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory (or “computer-readable medium”) that can directa computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to functionin a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in thecomputer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture includinginstruction means which implement the function specified in theflowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also beloaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatusto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computeror other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implementedprocess such that the instructions which execute on the computer orother programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing thefunctions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, functional blocks of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations support combinations of means for performing the specifiedfunctions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions,and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. Itwill also be understood that each functional block of the block diagramsand flowchart illustrations, and combinations of functional blocks inthe block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented byeither special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform thespecified functions or steps, or suitable combinations of specialpurpose hardware and computer instructions. Further, illustrations ofthe process flows and the descriptions thereof may make reference touser windows, web pages, web sites, web forms, prompts, etc.Practitioners will appreciate that the illustrated steps describedherein may comprise in any number of configurations including the use ofwindows, web pages, web forms, popup windows, prompts and/or the like.It should be further appreciated that the multiple steps as illustratedand described may be combined into single web pages and/or windows buthave been expanded for the sake of simplicity. In other cases, stepsillustrated and described as single process steps may be separated intomultiple web pages and/or windows but have been combined for simplicity.

Practitioners will appreciate that there are a number of methods fordisplaying data within a browser-based document. Data may be representedas standard text or within a fixed list, scrollable list, drop-downlist, editable text field, fixed text field, pop-up window, and/or thelike. Likewise, there are a number of methods available for modifyingdata in a web page such as, for example, free text entry using akeyboard, selection of menu items, check boxes, option boxes, and/or thelike.

System 100 enables user 105 (e.g., an IP marketplace participant such asan IP owner or a potential buyer), to buy, sell, search for, catalogue,disclose, negotiate, package, license, etc. IP assets. System 100combines unique standardization, process improvement, workflow, dataintegration, searching, and data security features to enable a seamless,feature-rich IP marketplace. While certain embodiments of the presentinvention are disclosed herein in terms of a patent, practitioners willappreciate that the teachings of the present invention may be equallyapplicable interchangeably between any type of intellectual propertyincluding, for example: trade marks, trade dress, know how, tradesecrets, copyrights, etc. Furthermore, while transactions may bedisclosed herein in terms of a sale (or assignment) of IP assets,practitioners will appreciate that the present invention enables anytype of IP transaction such as a grant of partial rights, an exclusivelicense, a non-exclusive license, a sublicense, a settlement agreement,etc.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, when user 105 logs onto anapplication, Internet server 125 may invoke an application server 145.Application server 145 invokes logic in the IP MATE 147 by passingparameters relating to the user's 105 requests for data. IP Marketplace115 manages requests for data from IP MATE 147 and communicates withsystem 101 components. Transmissions between user 105 and Internetserver 125 may pass through a firewall 120 to help ensure the integrityof IP Marketplace 115 components. Practitioners will appreciate that theinvention may incorporate any number of security schemes or none at all.In one embodiment, Internet server 125 receives requests from client 110and interacts with various other system 100 components to perform tasksrelated to requests from client 110.

Internet server 125 may invoke an authentication server 130 to verifythe identity of user 105 and assign roles, access rights and/orpermissions to user 105. In order to control access to the applicationserver 145 or any other component of IP Marketplace 115, Internet server125 may invoke an authentication server 130 in response to user 105submissions of authentication credentials received at Internet server125. When a request to access system 100 is received from Internetserver 125, Internet server 125 determines if authentication is requiredand transmits a prompt to client 110. User 105 enters authenticationdata at client 110, which transmits the authentication data to Internetserver 125. Internet server 125 passes the authentication data toauthentication server which queries the user database 140 forcorresponding credentials. When user 105 is authenticated, user 105 mayaccess various applications and their corresponding data sources.

IP Marketplace 115 enables a standards based, workflow driven, IPcommercialization process. With reference now to FIG. 2, in variousembodiments, IP Marketplace 115 includes user and organizationalregistration and profiling (step 205), IP disclosure and approval (step210), valuing and rating of IP assets (step 215), merchandising andcataloging (step 220), customized search and IP matching algorithms(step 225), referral services, deal negotiation (step 230), transactionexecution, marketing tools, collaboration tools, IP asset management(e.g., royalty and maintenance fee management) (step 230), and datacollection and reporting.

In an embodiment, users 105 (i.e., “members”) are registered as IPowners, customers interested in obtaining the rights to IP and/orservice entities (e.g., lawyers, bankers, accountants, technologypartners etc.). IP Marketplace 115 also allows licensed partners theright (e.g., within certain geographic regions) to offer, negotiate andconsummate membership agreements and the like, for participants totransact on and use the site. In the event a buyer is interested inobtaining the rights to any IP asset, it is the responsibility of the IPowner to invite any relevant registered members to the deal phase. Oncethe deal phase is complete, it is once again the responsibility of theIP owner to remove all access, and if required, remove any related data.

In an embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 enables collecting and validatingIP asset data. A user 105 logs in to IP Marketplace 115 and indicatesthe desire to enter information regarding an IP asset. IP MATE 147, inconjunction with IP asset database 150 and workflow engine 148,determines a template that will be used to collect standardizedinformation regarding the IP asset. “Standardized”, as used herein, mayinclude a template that includes one or more common questions orinformation requests from multiple users. In an embodiment, the templateis a standardized disclosure questionnaire. The template can bestandardized based upon various factors such as, for example, industry,technology, type of IP asset, contemplated transaction (e.g., license orsale) or seller of the IP asset. In one embodiment, IP Marketplace 115enables commercialization of any type of IP asset including patent,trademarks, trade dress, copyrights, trade secrets and know-how.

For instance, IP MATE 147 may determine a standard set of questions forthe template based on an indication by user 105 that the IP assetinvolves computer software for the financial industry and may alsodetermine additional questions based upon a company profile which isstored in IP asset database (or other IP Marketplace 115 databases). Thecompany profile may include company standards (e.g., business rules andformats) for collecting information for IP assets of the company. In anembodiment, IP MATE 147 may determine a standard template for collectionIP asset information based upon best practices that are automaticallygenerated and refined by IP Marketplace 115. For example, the besetpractices may be developed based upon previous transactions, userfeedback, industry standards, etc.

IP Marketplace 115 provides (e.g., via client 110), the standardizedtemplate for characterizing the IP asset (Step 305). In one embodiment,the standardized template comprises a survey tool that each IP ownerregistered on IP Marketplace 115 and it can be customized as to whatquestions are included in the survey. Thus, the data input can becontrolled at an account (IP owner) level. One skilled in the art willrecognize that the standardized template may be a single form, multipleforms, multiple input screens, requests to upload documents, new orrevised questions based upon responses to previous questions, etc. Forexample, in one embodiment, providing the standardized template includesformatting an HTML based form comprising a plurality of questions andreceiving a plurality of responses. In an embodiment, IP MATE 147determines a second question based upon the response received from afirst question. IP MATE 147 evaluates the response to the first questionand may perform an analysis comprising database searches or patternmatching to determine relevance to previous transactions or to existingIP assets in a company's IP asset inventory. IP MATE 147 formulates thesecond question (or series of second questions) based upon the analysis.

IP Marketplace 115 receives responses based upon the standardizedtemplate (Step 310). The responses include IP documentation (forms,documents, data, etc) for an IP asset. In an embodiment, at least aportion of the IP documentation received from user 105 regarding an IPasset is in standardized form. In an embodiment, upon IP MATE 147invokes logic to parse a portion of the documentation into dataelements. In an embodiment, the parsing process may include decryptingthe IP documentation and/or encrypting the IP asset data elements.

As part of a parsing process, IP MATE 147 may also characterize the datato form individual attributes describing the IP asset. IP MATE 147validates the IP documentation (Step 315). Similar to the variousmethods (e.g., as described above) of standardizing input via atemplate, IP MATE 147 may employ various methods and/or draw from avariety of sources to validate the IP documentation. For example, in anembodiment, IP documentation may be submitted via a company proprietaryinput template and IP MATE 147 may parse the submitted documentationinto data elements and validate the data elements against validationrules that are standardized for IP Marketplace 115. In other words, inone embodiment, the data validation process executed by IP MATE 147enables IP Marketplace 115 to allow an IP owner (e.g., a company) tocollect IP asset documentation based upon a company standard and enforcegeneral standardization of the data by checking certain standards fordata completeness, valid values, etc.

The validation process may include a process of resolving datadiscrepancies. For example, IP MATE 147 may detect that a certain datafield, that may not have been required by a company template, may berequired or desired for the standard cataloging of the IP asset. Inorder to resolve this data discrepancy, IP MATE 147 may determine adefault value and assign it to the IP asset and/or IP MATE 147 mayinvoke workflow engine 148 to generate a series of tasks aimed atresolving the discrepancy.

IP MATE 147 sends an authorization request for the IP asset. In variousembodiments, IP MATE 147 may format a report, send the originallysubmitted IP documentation, and/or send a message to log in to IPMarketplace 115 to review the IP asset data. Similar to processes forresolving data discrepancies, IP MATE 147 may also use workflow engine148 to generate a workplan (a step or series of steps) for obtaining IPowner approval for the IP asset. For instance, in an embodiment workflowengine 148 reads IP asset database 150 to determine whether the IP ownerhas a custom approval process. Based upon the custom approval process,workflow engine 148 creates a series of steps (or tasks) to track andexecute the approval process. For example, workflow engine 148 may senda message to a number of approvers and then track whether each approverhas signed off on the IP asset data. IP MATE 147 determines when theapproval process is complete (e.g., electronic approvals received fromall approving personnel) (Step 320). As discussed in more detail below,IP MATE 147 manages the data security (e.g., user permissions) for theIP documentation (step 325) and publishes the IP asset information basedupon data security considerations (step 330).

In an embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 enables project managementfunctionality. A project overview data structure summarizes the IP assetthat user 105 (e.g., an IP owner) is considering for license/sale. IPMATE 147 invokes workflow engine 148 and accesses IP asset database 150to determine a set of tasks related to states of the IP assetcommercialization project. As discussed briefly above, the tasksinvolved may include approving the IP documentation submitted, valuingand rating the IP asset, creating a marketing package (e.g., informationsheets, brochures, demonstrations, etc) for the IP asset, cataloging theIP asset to systematically package (e.g., combine assets into aportfolio) and characterize the IP (by industry, index, subject matter,etc) to prepare it for potential sale, and managing data accesspermissions for users 105 (e.g., a potential buyer) wishing to receiveadditional information regarding the IP asset.

IP asset IP Marketplace 115 enables marketing IP assets via the interneand management of the contract process for the purpose of selling IPrights. In an embodiment, data stored in IP asset database 150 may bedeemed as public due to the fact that such data may be published for thepurpose of selling IP. IP Marketplace 115 enables both open accesspublishing and controlled publishing. In embodiment, a user 105authorizes controlled publishing of IP asset data, i.e., only invitedusers will are able to access the data. In one embodiment, the datastored during a contract negotiations phase is considered restricted. Ifthe negotiations for a transaction are unsuccessful, then the specificdata may be deleted (or archived) from the system by user 105. Thesecure and authorized access to data on the platform is enabled byworkflow engine 148 and processes defined in IP asset database 150. IPMATE 147 includes robust user and permissions logic. In an embodiment,upon receipt of a data request, permissions are verified by IP MATE 147and/or a web-service invoked by IP Marketplace 115. Thus, IP Marketplaceenables security such that the users that created the data can grantaccess to other users.

In one embodiment, IP MATE 147 enforces two requirements for grantingaccess to data. First, IP MATE 147 ensures that the requesting user 105is associated with the IP owner (e.g., company associated with theasset) or is associated with network of confirmed associates of the IPowner. Secondly, a user 105 that created the data explicitly grantsaccess to anyone in their network to the module of the application forwhich the data was created. In this manner, confidentiality is theresponsibility of the user/owner. In an embodiment, the IP owner hasfull access to delete files, can remove any other user's access, and canmake a project inactive, so that no one has access. In an embodiment,backup data is updated during incremental backup procedures so that oncedeleted, it is also deleted on the backup memory.

IP Marketplace 115 enables merchandizing of an IP asset. In anembodiment, IP Marketplace 115 receives IP documentation for an IPasset. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the IP documentation isin a standardized format based upon a standardized template. IP MATE 147determines, based upon the IP documentation, a category for the IPasset. In an embodiment multiple categorizations may be made by IP MATE147. IP MATE 147 may also determine an industry and assign a uniqueidentifier (e.g., serial number) for the IP asset. IP MATE 147 creates amarketing document (e.g., a fact/information sheet, brochure, etc.)based upon the IP documentation. In various embodiments, the marketingdocument may be standardized based upon, for example, the type of IP,industry, IP owner, associated technologies and/or anticipated market orbuyers for the IP asset. The marketing document may include a valuationand/or a rating of the IP asset. In an embodiment, IP Marketplace 115allows an IP owner to group IP assets together create an IP portfolioand marketing documents associated with the IP portfolio.

IP MATE 147 stores the marketing document in IP asset database 150. Asdiscussed in detail above, the marketing document may be published toany user (open access publishing) of IP Marketplace 115, or IPMarketplace 115 may limit access to authorized users (controlled accesspublishing). In an embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 requests approval ofthe marketing document by the IP owner regardless of how the marketingdocument will be published. The approval may be based upon a companyspecific approval processes a default process or a combination. Workflowengine 148 controls and tracks the approval process. In an embodiment,the approval process is iterative and interactive; for example, the IPowner may modify format and content of the marketing document during theapproval process. In an embodiment IP MATE 147 invokes logic to publishthe marketing document and other data associated with the IP asset. Inan embodiment, workflow engine 148 reads the work plan associated withcommercializing the IP asset and performs other tasks such as activatingthe IP asset to be included for consideration by a matching algorithmthat matches buyer requirements with IP assets.

In an embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 includes a user interface enablingan IP owner to easily manage IP assets listed on the marketplace andtrack the assets' progress towards commercialization. User 105 ispresented with a dashboard showing the user's “commercializationprojects”, any associated files (e.g., IP documentation, term sheets,ratings, etc) and tasks. The dashboard also presents a list of contactsto create a network related by working relationships that consist ofother users (internal or service providers) that have been selected bythe user. The ability to create a customized network of contacts notonly gives the user complete control of collaboration, it also allowscomplete control over sharing project information.

In one embodiment, IP MATE 147 executes processes to value and rate anIP asset. IP MATE 147 retrieves IP asset data associated with the IPasset. In an embodiment, the IP asset data is comprised of data elementsand each data element corresponds to an IP attribute. Based upon avariety of factors, IP MATE 147 may determine a plurality of IPattributes to retrieve for the IP asset. For instance the plurality ofattributes may be determined based upon a rating method, a valuationprocess, the inputs to a valuation model (e.g., valuation algorithm),the IP asset type, the IP owner, a country granting an IP rightassociated with the IP asset, the industry, the technology associatedwith the IP asset, etc. IP MATE 147 uses the IP asset data retrievedfrom IP asset database 150 to determine a rating and a value for the IPasset.

IP Marketplace 147 may provide standardized ratings using a number ofrating methods. In an embodiment IP MATE 147 rates an IP asset based atleast partially upon a comparison to at a market portfolio and/an aninternal portfolio. For example IP MATE 147 may determine the internalportfolio by accessing IP asset information stored on IP asset database150, determining a plurality of similar IP assets, and comparingattributes of the plurality of similar IP assets to the IP asset datafor the IP asset being rated. In an embodiment, IP MATE 147 maydetermine a market portfolio by accessing an external data source,accessing a market analysis and/or obtaining an expert opinion. Ratingsmay be based upon an evaluation by an industry association, by experts,the reputation of an inventor associated with the IP asset and/or thereputation of the owner of the IP asset. In an embodiment, IPMarketplace 115 enables polling (e.g., via an online survey) othermarketplace participants to determine reputation of an inventor and/oran IP owner.

As one of skill in the art will recognize, valuing an IP asset maycomprise a variety of calculations, forecasts, comparisons, analysis,etc. For instance, the value of a patent may be based upon determiningwhether any third party has, or may claim title to, the patent (e.g., ifan inventor that did not properly assign the patent rights). Thus, thevalue of a patent may depend on a title search and clean title historyof the ownership rights of the patent. IP MATE 147 may perform numerousvaluations of an IP asset based upon, for example, an industry standardvaluation model, a valuation model of the owner, a valuation model of apotential buyer, a standard valuation model for the particulartechnology area, etc.

In an embodiment, IP MATE 147 performs valuation models based uponhistorical comparables. Values may be determined based upon comparabletransactions. The data for the comparable transaction may come fromexternal data sources (e.g., the internet, other IP transactiondatabases), from historical transaction data stored on IP asset database150, or from a combination of the two. The valuation may be based upon acost valuation and a utility valuation. The value may also be a range ofvalues. In an embodiment, IP MATE 147 may individually value a number ofIP assets that have been grouped into a portfolio and may also determinea value of the portfolio based upon, for example, the strategicsignificance of obtaining ownership rights to all the IP assets in theportfolio.

In one embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 determines factors associated withpatent quality and produces a valuation based upon the factors. IPMarketplace 115 retrieves IP asset data from IP asset database 150,determines a plurality of factors associated with the value of the IPasset and determines, based at least partially upon the IP asset data, avaluation of the IP asset. IP Marketplace 115 may obtain patent datafrom a government data source associated with a government authoritysuch as the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”), theEuropean Patent Office or a foreign patent governing authority. IPMarketplace 115 may, for example: determine whether the inventorship onan inventor declaration is consistent with the inventorship on anapplication data sheet; determine whether the inventorship on anassignment document is consistent with the inventorship on an assignmentdocument; audit a chain of title associated with the patent; determinewhether maintenance fees associated with the patent are up-to-date;determine whether a claim of invalidity against the patent exists;determine whether a request for reexamination of the patent exists;identify litigation associated with the patent; determine a remainingperiod before the patent expires; identify licenses associated with thepatent; identifying the rights granted in the licenses associated withthe patent; determine, based upon patent rules of a country associatedwith issuing the patent, whether the claims of the patent can beamended; determine whether a duty of disclosure has been met for thepatent; determine whether an information disclosure statement of thepatent is cross-referenced in the file history of all patents related tothe patent; determine whether a related patent application may be filedclaiming priority to the patent; and/or determine whether aninterference proceeding associated with a patent application wasinitiated, wherein the patent is the patent application.

In an embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 receives an inquiry from a user 105(e.g., a potential buyer). The inquiry comprises a requested IP assetattributes such as price range, technology, time remaining on patent,countries/jurisdictions where the IP asset enjoys protection, number ofrelated patents, etc. IP MATE 147 determines a match between the IPasset and the requested IP asset attributes and identifies the IP assetto the buyer. IP MATE 147 may search for matches on IP asset database150 (internal search) or may search external data sources such as, forexample, the Internet, proprietary databases, subscription databases andcorporate databases. As such, IP Marketplace 115 may providecomprehensive matching of all available IP assets that a potential buyermay be interested in.

In an embodiment, IP MATE 147 creates a list of available IP assets thatmatch the requested IP attributes and provides the list to user 105. Thelist presented to user 105 may show the IP asset marketing data, acategory, a subject matter associated with the IP asset, an industryassociated with the IP asset and a unique identifier associated with theIP asset. In an embodiment, user 105 may select an IP asset from thelist of IP assets and IP MATE 147 creates a response providing more dataabout the selected IP asset. For example, the additional data maycomprise the marketing document, a rating, a valuation, contactinformation of the seller, etc. In an embodiment, the marketing documentis in a markup language format and a web page is dynamically createdbased at least partially upon data in the IP asset database.

Not only does IP Marketplace 115 enable an IP owner to merchandize andcatalogue an IP asset, but it also facilitates a complete IP transactionprocess. In an embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 receives, from a buyer, aninquiry comprising requested IP asset attributes, matches an IP assetand the requested IP asset attributes and identifies the IP asset to thebuyer. In one embodiment, a buyer indicates interest in purchasing orlicensing the IP asset and IP MATE 147 creates a “deal room” on IPMarketplace 115. The deal room is a virtual space, or data area on IPMarketplace 115 that may be dedicated to a specific IP transaction. TheIP owner may invite a potential buyer (or potential licensee's) into thedata room to share data, tasks and milestones in an effort to streamlinethe deal making process. Thus, in an embodiment, the deal room enforcesdata permissions that may be specific to the IP transaction or to theusers authorized to access the deal room.

In an embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 receives a due diligence (DD)request from the buyer for additional data on the IP asset that is beingconsidered for a transaction. In response to the DD request, IP MATE 147may automatically create (e.g., by allocating memory, creating custominterfaces, assigning permissions, etc.) the deal room and send aapproval request to the IP owner to allow the buyer access to the dealroom. In one embodiment, in response to a DD request, IP MATE 147 sendsan approval request directly to the IP owner and, upon approval, sendsthe requested DD information directly to the buyer. DD information mayalso be preauthorized for viewing by any buyer that requests it.

IP Marketplace 115 receives a purchase request (or a buy offer) from abuyer. The request may include exact terms or the request may be anindication of a willingness to enter into negotiations. In anembodiment, in response to receiving the purchase request, IP MATE 147invokes an IP transaction workflow based upon a predefined process. Thepredefined process may include business rules and process steps and thebusiness rules that are either standardized by IP Marketplace 115 ordefined by the buyer, defined by the IP owner, defined by an industrystandard, etc. In an embodiment, IP MATE 147 generates, based upon astandardized IP transaction workflow, a transaction task list for apending transaction associated with the IP asset and tracks the statusof a plurality of tasks that comprise the transaction task list.

In an embodiment, the IP transaction workflow dictates the timing withwhich certain data permissions are activated (and deactivated) forvarious participants (e.g. buyer, seller, valuation experts,consultants, etc.) in the IP transaction. Thus, in an embodiment, thedata permissions profile for a user 105 (or group of users) isassociated with multiple levels of data security and the levels aredetermined at least partially by an IP transaction workflow. Forexample, IP MATE 147 may determine that the buyer is permitted to view aset of documents (or a level of data) based upon a status of anegotiation between the buyer and an owner of the IP asset, the receiptof a payment (or other document) from the buyer, an approval by an ownerof the IP asset, an approval of a licensee of the IP asset, etc.

In an embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 enables the buyer to perform acustom valuation of the IP asset. For example, IP Marketplace 115receives a request from the buyer for a custom valuation of the IPasset; IP MATE 147 determines the algorithm and data inputs for thecustom valuation and performs the custom valuation of the IP asset. Inone embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 comprises interfaces andcommunication functionality to facilitate online negotiation withbetween participants of an IP transaction. IP Marketplace 115 may alsoinclude a scheduler that accesses IP asset database 150 to determine aphysical meeting place that may support a “live” meeting betweenparticipants of an IP transaction. In an embodiment, membership in theIP Marketplace provides access to resources and facilities associatedwith the IP Marketplace.

In one embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 facilitates a referral network ofservice providers. IP asset database 150 includes a directory of serviceproviders and IP Marketplace 115 includes an interface that allows auser 105 to request a service provider. IP MATE 147 may execute analgorithm to determine an appropriate service provider to match with auser 105.

IP Marketplace 115 also supports post-IP transaction activities such astracking patent or trademark fees and calculating royalty payments. Inone embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 obtains transaction data defining anIP licensing transaction, analyzing the transaction data to determineroyalty payment terms and facilitates collection of royalty paymentsbased upon the royalty payment terms. The IP transaction data may beretrieved from IP asset database 150 (e.g., if the transaction wasfacilitated by the marketplace) or may be entered by the IP owner on auser interface provided by IP Marketplace 115. Royalty payment terms mayinclude a payment schedule, a royalty base, a royalty calculation and aroyalty report description. Based upon a schedule defined at leastpartially by the royalty payment terms, IP Marketplace 115 sends aroyalty report reminder and/or royalty payment reminder to a licensee.IP Marketplace 115 receives a licensee report associated with the IPlicensing transaction. In an embodiment, IP MATE 147 analyzes thelicensee report and calculates, based upon the royalty payment terms, atleast one of a royalty due amount and a royalty base. IP MATE 147creates a royalty invoice and IP Marketplace 115 sends the invoice tothe licensee. IP Marketplace receives a royalty payment, notifies the IPowner of the royalty payment and, in an embodiment, verifies the amountof the royalty payment. In an embodiment, the royalty payment may bepaid using an account the licensee has with IP Marketplace 115. Forexample, in one embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 includes transactionaccount functionality and issues transaction accounts to its members.Royalty payments may be made by a licensee via a transaction account andIP Marketplace 115 may debit the licensee's account and credit an IPowner's transaction account.

In an embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 also enables automated audit ofdata submitted to the system. For example, IP Marketplace 115 performsan automated audit of a licensee report, sends a report based upon theaudit and may determine, based IP transaction data, a penalty associatedwith non-compliance by the licensee. In one embodiment, IP Marketplacefacilitates recording an IP transaction by, for example, creating areport based upon the IP licensing transaction and sending the report toa license recording authority.

In one embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 includes membership accounts. IPMarketplace 115 may provide incentives to conduct transactions, orperform other activities via the system. The incentives may include oneor more of a lower Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on a transactionaccount, a discount on the finance charges, a rebate on finance charges,a cash bonus, a cash-back amount, membership reward points, reducedrenewal fee, achievement credit toward a future incentive, increasedcredit line, increased spend line, statement credit, gift vouchers,gifts, special privileges, special access passes (e.g., back-stagepass). The incentives may be selected using a tiered incentive model. Inone embodiment, an achievement credit comprises a credit or increment ofa balance. In one embodiment, a discount is a reduction in the amount offinance charges accrued (or fees assessed) on the transaction account. Arebate may be a refund and/or credit of a portion of finance chargesaccrued (or fees assessed) on the transaction account. For example, arebate may be sent to a customer (or credited to a customer account)several months after criteria for an incentive have been satisfied.

In various embodiments, IP Marketplace 115 may provide the selectedincentives to user 105 by updating its internal databases as well ascommunicating the incentive information to user 105 through variousmeans known in the art. For example, IP Marketplace 115 may adjustfuture billing statements of user 105, update consumer's 105 transactionaccount to reflect the incentives that the consumer has accrued, and/orsend user 105 incentive related communication in subsequent billingstatements or separately via email, facsimile or post.

In one embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 enables commercial transactionsinvolving the exchange of monetary value for goods, services, or othervalue between remote individuals, such as users of a distributedcomputer network or Internet users. The present invention also providesremote purchasers with means for making a secure, confidential transferof funds; means for immediate initiation of shipment by a seller; meansfor releasing funds to a seller only after approval of the goods,services, or other value received from the seller; means fordemonstrating proof of payment; and means for having some level ofrecourse against a remote seller. More particularly, the inventionfacilitates commercial transactions by suitably coordinating thetransfer of financial tender from a financial account associated with afirst party to a financial account associated with a second party inexchange for the transfer of an IP asset, goods, or services from asecond party to a first party. Additional details are disclosed in U.S.application Ser. No. 12/242,759 entitled “Systems And Methods ForFacilitating Transactions” and filed on Sep. 30, 2008, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

In one embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 provides lending services and/orsupport to lending institution. For instance the buyer of an IP assetmay want to use credit to pay for a portion of the IP transaction. IPMarketplace 115 enables a structural risk analysis. Outputs of a totalstructural risk model can be used in any business or market segment thatextends credit or otherwise needs to evaluate the creditworthiness of aparticular consumer. As such, the marketplace may facilitate evaluatingcredit risk and securing credit for its members.

Modeling consumer risk includes, in one embodiment, obtaining consumerdata, modeling and/or processing the consumer data, and creating anoutput. The output may then be used to make business decisions. Invarious embodiments, the present invention uses a variety of data (e.g.,consumer data) in conjunction with several modeling/processingprocedures to assess risk.

A debt obligation includes any obligation a consumer has to pay a lendermoney. Any extension of credit from a lender to a consumer is alsoconsidered a debt obligation. A debt obligation may be secured orunsecured. Secured obligations may be secured with either real orpersonal property. A loan or a credit account are types of debtobligations. A security backed by debt obligations is considered a debtobligation itself. A mortgage includes a loan, typically in the form ofa promissory note, secured by real property. The real property may besecured by any legal means, such as, for example, via a mortgage or deedof trust. For convenience, a mortgage is used herein to refer to a loansecured by real property. An automobile loan includes a loan, typicallyin the form of a promissory note, which is secured by an automobile. Forconvenience, an automobile loan is used herein to refer to a loansecured by an automobile.

A lender is any person, entity, software and/or hardware that provideslending services. A lender may deal in secured or unsecured debtobligations. A lender may engage in secured debt obligations whereeither real or personal property acts as collateral. A lender need notoriginate loans but may hold securities backed by debt obligations. Alender may be only a subunit or subdivision of a larger organization. Amortgage holder includes any person or entity that is entitled torepayment of a mortgage. An automobile loan holder is any person orentity that is entitled to repayment of an automobile loan. As usedherein, the terms lender and credit issuer may be used interchangeably.Credit issuers may include financial services companies that issuecredit to consumers.

A trade or tradeline includes a credit or charge vehicle typicallyissued to an individual consumer by a credit grantor. Types oftradelines include, for example, bank loans, credit card accounts,retail cards, personal lines of credit and car loans/leases.

Tradeline data describes the consumer's account status and activity suchas, for example, names of companies where the consumer has accounts,dates such accounts were opened, credit limits, types of accounts,balances over a period of time and summary payment histories. Tradelinedata is generally available for the vast majority of actual consumers.Tradeline data, however, typically does not include individualtransaction data, which is largely unavailable because of consumerprivacy protections. Tradeline data may be used to determine bothindividual and aggregated consumer spending patterns, as describedherein.

Internal data is any data a credit issuer possesses or acquirespertaining to a particular consumer. Internal data may be gatheredbefore, during, or after a relationship between the credit issuer andthe consumer. Such data may include consumer demographic data. Consumerdemographic data includes any data pertaining to a consumer. Consumerdemographic data may include consumer name, address, telephone number,email address, employer and social security number. Consumertransactional data is any data pertaining to the particular transactionsin which a consumer engages during any given time period. Consumertransactional data may include transaction amount, transaction time,transaction vendor/merchant, and transaction vendor/merchant location.Transaction vendor/merchant location may contain a high degree ofspecificity to a vendor/merchant. For example, transactionvendor/merchant location may include a particular gasoline filingstation in a particular postal code located at a particular crosssection or address. Also for example, transaction vendor/merchantlocation may include a particular web address, such as a UniformResource Locator (“URL”), an email address and/or an Internet Protocol(“IP”) address for a vendor/merchant. Transaction vendor/merchantlocation may also include information gathered from a WHOIS databasepertaining to the registration of a particular web or IP address. WHOISdatabases include databases that contain data pertaining, to Internet IPaddress registrations. Transaction vendor/merchant, and transactionvendor/merchant location may be associated with a particular consumerand further associated with sets of consumers. Consumer payment dataincludes any data pertaining to a consumer's history of paying debtobligations. Consumer payment data may include consumer payment dates,payment amounts, balance amount, and credit limit. Internal data mayfurther comprise records of consumer service calls, complaints, requestsfor credit line increases, questions, and comments. A record of aconsumer service call includes, for example, date of call, reason forcall, and any transcript or summary of the actual call.

Internal data may further comprise closed-loop data and open-loop data.Closed-loop data includes data obtained from a credit issuer'sclosed-loop transaction system. A closed-loop transaction systemincludes transaction systems under the control of one party. Closed-looptransaction systems may be used to obtain consumer transactional data.Open-loop data includes data obtained from a credit issuer's open-looptransaction system. An open-loop transaction system includes transactionsystems under the control of multiple parties.

Credit bureau data is any data retained by a credit bureau pertaining toa particular consumer. A credit bureau is any organization that collectsand/or distributes consumer data. A credit bureau may be a consumerreporting agency. Credit bureaus generally collect financial informationpertaining to consumers. Credit bureau data may include consumer accountdata, credit limits, balances, and payment history. Credit bureau datamay include credit bureau scores that reflect a consumer'screditworthiness. Credit bureau scores are developed from data availablein a consumer's file, such as the amount of lines of credit, paymentperformance, balance, and number of tradelines. The data available in aconsumer's file is used to model the risk of a consumer over a period oftime using statistical regression analysis. In one embodiment, thosedata elements that are found to be indicative of risk are weighted andcombined to determine the credit score. For example, each data elementmay be given a score, with the final credit score being the sum of thedata element scores.

In one embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 determines or accesses consumerinformation that includes a comprehensive consumer default risk valuefor a consumer. One method comprises obtaining consumer credit datarelating to the consumer, modeling consumer spending pattern of theconsumer using the consumer credit data, and calculating thecomprehensive consumer default risk value for the consumer based uponthe consumer credit data and the consumer spending pattern. In oneembodiment, the method includes obtaining internal data relating to theconsumer and further calculating comprehensive consumer default riskvalue for the consumer based upon the internal data. In an embodiment,determining the default risk value of the consumer may also includereceiving credit bureau data related to multiple accounts of theconsumer and for a previous period of time, identifying balancetransfers into, or out of, those accounts, discounting any spendingidentified for any of the accounts for any portion of the previousperiod of time in which a balance transfer to such account isidentified, and estimating a purchasing ability of the consumer based onthe credit bureau data and the discounting.

A method for facilitating earning loyalty points is also part of variousembodiments, wherein the loyalty points are associated with a geographicarea, and the method includes: receiving purchase data; determining ageographic area related to the purchase data; determining an amount ofgeographic area loyalty points based on the geographic area informationand purchase data; and updating the loyalty account with the geographicarea loyalty points. Receiving purchase data may include: receiving andstoring manufacturer item identifiers; receiving and processing aconsumer ID; receiving and processing purchase data, wherein thepurchase data comprises a retailer item identifier; associating at leasttwo of consumer ID, purchase data, and a manufacturer item identifier;and performing an analysis that is dependent upon the step ofassociating.

The invention also facilitates redeeming loyalty points, wherein theloyalty points are associated with a geographic area, by maintaining adatabase for storing geographic area loyalty points in a loyalty accountcorresponding to a participant; receiving a request related to arequested geographic redemption area to redeem an amount of thegeographic area loyalty points; determining if the requested geographicredemption area is associated with the geographic area loyalty points;and, adjusting the loyalty account based upon the amount of geographicarea loyalty points.

The invention further includes redeeming said geographic area loyaltypoints in a pre-determined geographic area. The determination of ageographic area may be accomplished by using at least one of: zip codes,retailer identification codes, retailer item identifier, storeidentifier, warranty data, service establishment codes, SKU codes, UPCmanufacturer codes, consumer ID, retailer ID, manufacturer ID, purchaserprofile, consumer enrollment data, retailer loyalty identifier, consumeraccount, aggregate consumer account, consumer profile, supplementarymember profile, and third party provider information. Calculating thegeographic area loyalty points may include using at least one of aformula, ratio, percentage, consumer level, global positioning systeminformation, point level, retailer level, manufacturer level, and rewardlevel. The method may be implemented by an interactive, online computersystem and may further include informing a consumer of the loyaltypoints in real-time at a point-of-sale, a suggestive sale in ageographic area, pooling, gifting and transferring the geographic arealoyalty points or receiving purchase data includes receiving consumerdata from a dual use transaction card. More details regarding geographicsystems and loyalty point systems which may be incorporated into variousembodiments of the present invention are disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/708,570 entitled “Geographic Loyalty System AndMethod” and filed on Mar. 11, 2004; U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/304,251 entitled “System And Method For The Transfer Of LoyaltyPoints” filed on Nov. 26, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 7,398,225 entitled “SystemAnd Method For Networked Loyalty Program” filed on Apr. 17, 2001; and,U.S. Pat. No. 7,398,226 entitled “System And Method For NetworkedLoyalty Program” filed on Nov. 6, 2001, which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

IP Marketplace 115 may offer a savings program to its members whichcreates discounts on transactions at specific, program-enrolledmerchants and/or based upon consumer spending. In one embodiment, IPMarketplace 115 enables systematic and automatic discount to consumerswhen they use their transaction account for payment.

In one embodiment, participants in the IP Marketplace may earn loyaltypoints, redeem loyalty points, receive advanced loyalty points andreceive a cash advance associated with loyalty points. In variousembodiments, as discussed above loyalty accounts may be associated withexecuting a transaction or using a preferred service provider.

An exemplary system and method of the present invention is generallydescribed, in terms of a transaction phase, a transaction authorizationand settlement phase, and an account reconciliation phase. During thetransaction phase, a loyalty program participant (e.g., a consumer)desiring to spend accumulated loyalty points selects products orservices for purchase from an individual merchant or ashopping/redemption network of merchants. For example, in an onlinetransaction, the participant may select a “pay with loyalty points”hyperlink button, thereby invoking a process to convert accumulatedloyalty points to some currency value such as a credit to aparticipant's financial transaction account. After selecting a givenproduct or service to purchase, the participant provides his or hertransaction card number and the transaction is processed as with anyother transaction. Additionally, in one embodiment, before thetransaction is allowed to go forward, the account manager verifies thatsufficient credit is available on participant's financial transactionaccount and/or sufficient loyalty points are available in participant'sloyalty account. In this case, a charge authorization system is accessedto compare the transaction details with account information stored inthe participant's loyalty account and the participant's transactionaccount.

During this verification process, the account manager's loyalty systemmiddleware determines the appropriate number of loyalty points to use byimplementing a conversion processor that converts the participant'sloyalty points to an appropriate currency equivalent (e.g., 100 loyaltypoints=$1 US). For example, taking into account the 100 to 1conversation ratio, if the transaction amount is $100.00, the loyaltypoint equivalent would be 10,000 points. If the participant confirms theuse of designated loyalty points to complete the purchase, theparticipant's loyalty account is reduced by the appropriate number ofloyalty points and the merchant proceeds with the transactionauthorization and settlement phase to complete the transaction.

During the account reconciliation phase, the accounts receivable systemreconciles the charge for the particular transaction with a credit fromthe participant's loyalty account. In one embodiment, for each chargewhere the participant selected to pay with loyalty points, there will bea corresponding and offsetting charge to the account. In anotherembodiment, where the account participant desires to pay only part ofthe transaction amount with loyalty points, the loyalty credit will onlypartially offset the merchant charge and the remainder will be paid withthe participant's transaction card.

In one embodiment, an account participant is issued a number of advancedloyalty points to facilitate a purchase when a loyalty account balanceis not sufficient to complete such a transaction. Using a number ofpreset rules and criteria, an account manger calculates a number ofpoints available to an account participant as an advance. According tothis point advance embodiment, the account participant may subsequentlyutilize the advanced loyalty points to purchase goods and/or servicesfrom the account manger or any merchant that accepts the loyalty points.The user is allotted a period of time for which to earn enough loyaltypoints to offset the loyalty point advances. If, at the end of theallotted period of time, a balance of advanced loyalty points has notbeen offset, then the account manager may charge the participant anamount equal to the currency value of the loyalty points at the time ofthe advance. In one embodiment, to determine the number of loyaltypoints available for advance, account manager may consider consumerinformation (e.g., participant and financial account attributes). Theseattributes may include, for example, the participant's account history,other parties responsible for the participant's account, the length oftime the participant has been enrolled in the loyalty program, theproduct type associated with the loyalty account, the intended use ofthe points, and/or the like. For example, participants may be classifiedinto tiers according to the type of financial instrument associated withthe loyalty account. The available points for advance may also changedepending on how quickly a previous advance is replenished, or theavailable advance points may increase as each previously advanced pointis replenished. Practitioners will appreciate that the calculation ofloyalty points available for advance may be based on any number ofcharacteristics and variables.

Thus, a loyalty point transaction may include a participant desiring toapply loyalty points to facilitate a particular transaction over acomputerized network such as the internet: (1) uses his or her chargecard number to make an online purchase, (2) associates the charge cardaccount with a loyalty account; and (3) invokes a process to apply acurrency value credit (corresponding to a defined amount of loyaltypoints) to the participant's designated charge card account. Thiscurrency value credit may offset all or part of a correspondingpurchase. Therefore, loyalty points are not used to make the purchase,but may be used to offset at least part of a corresponding charge. Theintegration of the loyalty program and existing transaction (e.g.,charge card) account processing systems is undetectable to the merchantin that the merchant may be unaware that the customer is using loyaltypoints to offset at least part of the charge. Additional embodimentsrelate to the crediting of a variety of different accounts to facilitateparticular transactions. For more information regarding loyalty pointsand loyalty point advance features, see U.S. application Ser. No.11/548,203, entitled “System And Method For Issuing And Using A LoyaltyPoint Advance” and filed on Oct. 10, 2006 which hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

In one embodiment, an action on IP Marketplace 115 is associated with aloyalty point advance or a loyalty point cash conversion. The systemreceives a request from a consumer to exchange loyalty points for apurchase of an IP asset or to pay a service provider. The system issuesa loyalty point advance to the loyalty account of the consumer tofacilitate the purchase. In one embodiment a desired consumer behavioris associated with accumulating loyalty points, depleting the loyaltypoint account, closing the loyalty account, closing a second loyaltyaccount, transferring loyalty points from a second loyalty account, orredeeming loyalty points.

In one embodiment, the system may determine a time period during whichthe consumer may earn loyalty points to offset the loyalty point advanceand a positive behavior reward associated with an incentive may involveoffsetting at least a portion of the loyalty point advance in responseto the determining the desired behavior attribute is satisfied. In oneembodiment, the system charges a transaction account associated with theconsumer for the amount of the purchase minus the cash value associatedwith the loyalty point advance. However, in response to determining thedesired behavior for an incentive is satisfied, the system may rewardthe consumer by crediting the transaction account for the cash valueassociated with the loyalty point advance.

In one embodiment, IP Marketplace 115 includes functionality to enableopportunity, product and/or service development, evolution, refinementand funding. This “Start Up Zone” (not pictured in FIG. 1B) area of IPMarketplace 115 may be used by an entity to organize, design, develop,showcase, receive feedback, receive expert advice, construct, fund,market and sell IP such as a digital product or a digital service(collectively, “digital product”). In an embodiment, IP Marketplace 115includes a multitude of tools such as, for example, a search tool, astatistical scoring tool, an access configuration tool, an interactiveassessment tool, a recommendations tool, a storage tool, a feedbacktool, an expert advice tool, a web recording tool, a market researchtool, a project management tool, a prototype tool, a demonstration tool,a connect and recommend tool and a mobile alert tool.

A user may access Start Up Zone and its associated tools via an onlineportal. The tools available to the user at the online portal may be acustomized set of tools. For example, the user may configure the onlineportal by purchasing access to tools from an ala carte menu of tools. IPMarketplace 115 may determine the tools available to the user basedupon, for example, a user subscription level, the industry, the type ofuser, or characteristics of the digital product. For example, IPMarketplace 115 may make available to the user a different set of toolsif the digital product is a game, than if the digital product is abusiness application. Furthermore, in an embodiment, IP Marketplace 115is configured to facilitate the application of standardized processes toa product development lifecycle (e.g., for an entrepreneur). Forexample, IP Marketplace may configure a market research tool differentlyfor a user that is developing a high-priced business application, thanfor a user who is developing a $0.99 app for use on a mobile phone.

The interactive assessment tool enables the application of standardizedprocesses, assessments and evaluations to a product development effort.In one embodiment, the interactive assessment tool is used by Start UpZone to gather standardized data regarding an opportunity, a projectand/or a product or service. The tool is set up with discrete steps inthe product development process, such as define target segment, sizemarket, define value proposition. For each step, the tool is pre-definedwith a number of questions to help the entrepreneur assess and benchmarkthe state of product development. The questions are both qualitative andmultiple choice in nature. The tool will compute the inputs from theentrepreneur to calibrate within its database and peer universe fromother entrepreneur to provide guidance on the state of productdevelopment and identify areas where further research/validation wouldbe useful to further enhance likelihood of success.

The search tool allows a user to find experts based upon searchcriteria. For example, a user may search for an expert based upon therelevance of the expert to a product being developed. In an embodiment,Start Up Zone determines a relevance score for each expert among theplurality of experts and the relevance score is at least partially basedupon an industry, a skill set of the expert, a reputation of the expert,a cooperativeness factor, an effectiveness factor, a qualificationand/or a location. The score for the expert will incorporate the inputsfrom the statistical scoring tool, that will calibrate from general webcontent generated by the expert, level of activities/interactions withthe experts on the Startup Zone, and ratings (both in terms of mean andvariances) for the expert as well as the level of authority of usersproviding the ratings within the Startup Zone community. The search toolenables the user to search for the expert based upon the relevancescore, or for any of the data upon which the relevance score is based.

The statistical scoring tool enables a user to review and interpretfeedback received regarding a digital product and/or an opportunity. Thestatistical scoring tool may utilize any statistical scoring,forecasting, prediction or simulation method now known or laterdeveloped. Feedback may include a score, a rating, an offer to purchase,an offer to invest, a recommendation, a critique, a comparison, verbaladvice, written feedback, numerical feedback, etc. The statisticalscoring tool will balance the calibration of rankings/ratings in termsor mean, variance, size of universe, and the level of authority of thoseproviding the ratings/rankings within the Startup Zone community.

The access configuration tool enables a user to specify who, when, howand what type of data other users of the Start Up Zone may be able toview about an opportunity or digital product. Permissions areconfigurable by the user and may be stored at the entity (e.g., user orcompany) or opportunity (e.g., digital product) level. The Start Up Zonemay enable various levels of permissions to accommodate the complex setof users, data and steps associated with a product development effort.For example, a user may wish to grant a technical expert access totechnical documentation for a digital product while keeping suchdata/information hidden from a marketing consultant. Furthermore, aninvestor who is subject to a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), may begranted full access to all the data stored in IP asset database 150 fora particular digital product.

As discussed previously, the secure and authorized access to data in theStart Up Zone is enabled by workflow engine 148 and processes defined inIP asset database 150. IP MATE 147 includes robust user and permissionslogic. In an embodiment, upon receipt of a data request, permissions areverified by IP MATE 147 and/or a web-service invoked by IP Marketplace115. Permissions may be associated with the IP documentation and otherdata stored for an IP asset.

The web recording tool enables the recording and storage of dataexchanged in the Start Up Zone. For instance, the Start Up Zone mayenable a user to access a product design expert via chat or instantmessaging functionality. The digital data exchanged may include text,audio (e.g., voice), graphics, video etc. The web recording tool enablesa user to record the data offered by the expert. The web recording toolis also configured to allow the user to associate notes, tags and otherdata to the recorded data, in order to enhance the organization andusability of the recorded data.

The market research tool is an interactive tool that leverages thetraditional market research methodologies (e.g. focus group, survey,conjoint analysis) to help entrepreneurs to a) identify whichmethodology is more appropriate, b) design the study, c) seek inputsfrom experts regarding design, administration, and analysis; d)interpret study results. The tool will also showcase sample studies andanalysis.

The project management tool enables users to schedule, manage, trackand/or assign tasks. The tool also enables a user to track milestones,send status reports and receive status reports. In an embodiment, theproject management tool includes a facility to draft, review and modifynotes regarding various activities, tasks, ideas and events. Thetracking of milestones can also be presented to a potential investor ora client.

The prototype tool is specifically designed to help entrepreneurs whohave completed the initial steps of product development (such as definesegment, size market, define value proposition). This tool will definesteps to build a prototype in a systematic fashion (e.g. draft design,design architecture, define generation 1 functionalities, test). Alongeach step, the tool maps out the “how to” recommendations with featuresthat allow the users to solicit feedback and validation from experts andpotential customers.

The demonstration tool will host and present the prototype to potentialinvestors and customers with the milestones from the market researchtool, prototype tool, and tournament results. It will allow potentialinvestors and clients to evaluate various prototypes with metrics fromthe tournament, market research tool and prototype tool with additionalcontext in the product development cycle.

The connect and recommend tool provides social networking functionalityin the Start Up Zone. For example, users can search for and connect toeach other and send and receive feedback, advice and recommendationsfrom the online community. Users can send links to another user toconnect with a member in his/her online network with specificinformation about the nature of engagement, areas of mutual interest,and provide an introduction for the two parties. The user can alsodefine and solicit the type of members he/she wants to connect with. Thetool will recommend members from the online community and the shortestway to connect with these recommended members leveraging the user'sexisting network of contacts within the Startup Zone.

The mobile alert tool enables an alert to be automatically generated andsent to a user. The alert may comprise an email, a text message, a phonecall and/or an indicator on the user's online portal. The mobile alertmay be triggered by any event captured by the Start Up Zone. Forexample, the Start Up Zone recognizes a connection to the user's productpage, a download of a product and/or receipt of a recommendation, ascore, or feedback. Furthermore, in an embodiment, a mobile alert may begenerated by the project management tool (e.g., upon the completion of atask, to alert a scheduled item, etc.).

The Start Up Zone enables a user to enter information regarding anopportunity, such as for example, a digital product. The information maybe entered according to a standardized process. For instance, Start UpZone presents a first question in a template, where the templateincludes fields which request standardized data for assessing thestandardized product. The Start Up Zone receives a response to the firstquestion and the first response is stored in IP asset database 150 asstandardized data associated with the opportunity. The Start Up Zone orone of its components (e.g., IP MATE 147) determines a second questionbased at least partially upon the response to the first question. Forinstance, the Start Up Zone may determine from the response to the firstquestion that the user is an entrepreneur and formulate a secondquestion in order to determine what stage of the product life cycle theproduct is in.

In an embodiment, based upon this interactive assessment process, theStart Up Zone configures an online portal for the user that provides aplurality of tools to the user. The Start Up Zone may acquire (e.g. viauser input) opportunity data such as, for example, a title, adescription, a product image, and/or a link to product information. TheStart Up Zone may validate the opportunity data based upon predefinedrules. The user may provide a digital upload of the digital product tothe Start Up Zone.

The Start Up Zone may also determine based upon the product and/or basedupon the interactive assessment process, a standard set of processes fordeveloping the product. The Start Up Zone may create a marketingpackage, a demonstration or a web page at least partially based upon atleast one of the opportunity and the digital product.

The Start Up Zone may receive feedback associated with a product, aproject, etc from a user. The user may be, for example, a member of theonline community (e.g. an inventor or entrepreneur), a service provider(e.g., a consultant, a lawyer or an expert), a product tester or aninvestor. The Start Up Zone may also allow a user to request anddownload a digital product. For example, a user may be a product testeror a potential customer, that downloads a digital product and uses itfor a period of time. The user may provide a product evaluation of theproduct. The Start Up Zone may determine a product score for the digitalproduct. For example, the product score is determined, in oneembodiment, based upon a number of downloads of the digital product, ausage duration of the digital product and/or a product evaluation of thedigital product.

The Start Up Zone may provide a user with various methods to receiveassessments and advice regarding a product, a service, a project, or atask involved with developing any of these. For example, as discussedpreviously, the Start Up Zone may include a search tool that enables auser to identify an expert and receive feedback from the expert. Theexpert may be an industry expert, a member of the media, a judge in aproduct tournament and/or an investor. In an embodiment, choosing anexpert that may be relevant to the user is based upon expert ratingdatabases, qualifications, peer ratings, industry knowledge and/orexperience. The Start Up Zone may determine a relevance score for theexpert. In an embodiment, the relevance score includes an expertisescore and a cooperativeness score. The cooperativeness may indicate, forexample, how easily others that have relied on the services of theexpert were able to contact the expert and/or whether the expert wasable to provide relevant and/or timely feedback.

The Start Up Zone may also provide a marketplace for offering expertand/or consulting services and determining a price for those services.For example, pricing for an expert may be a flat rate, a metered (e.g.,by the minute) rate or a price determined based upon an auction. In anembodiment, Start Up Zone enables a user (e.g., entrepreneur) to bid onthe services of an expert (or a number of experts) and/or have expertsbid to provide a service. In various embodiments, an expert may providefeedback in a variety of ways. For example, feedback may include ascore, a rating, an offer to purchase, an offer to invest, arecommendation, a critique and/or a comparison. In one embodiment,feedback is given interactively, for example, in an online meeting orchat session.

The Start Up Zone may aid entrepreneurs and/or facilitate thedevelopment and identification of desirable or high quality products byconducting a product tournament. In an embodiment, Start Up Zone mayidentify products eligible for a tournament, while in one embodiment,entrepreneurs may opt-in to a tournament. A plurality of judges maydownload, use, rate, score and/or provide feedback for a digitalproduct. Tournaments may be scored based upon formal feedback of judgesor based upon unstructured feedback of a crowd. For instance,tournaments may be scored based upon a crowd-sourcing feedback model.Tournament judges may also include, for example, investors, industryexperts, consumers and an appointed panel.

Tournaments may include one or more rounds. In one embodiment, Start UpZone determines the score of a digital product for a first round of thetournament. Determining the score may be based upon at least one of anumber of downloads of the first digital product, a usage duration ofthe first digital product, a product evaluation of the first digitalproduct, and/or a ranking of the first digital product. In anembodiment, Start Up Zone applies a predetermined scoring algorithm toaggregate a plurality of scores received from the plurality oftournament judges. For a multi-round tournament, Start Up Zone maydetermine the winners of the first round and those winners advance to asecond round. Prizes may be awarded for participating, scoring above acertain level, advancing to a subsequent round and/or winning atournament. A prize may include, for example, a credit toward the StartUp Zone online portal and the use of the plurality of tools provided bythe Start Up Zone. In one embodiment, a tournament participant may havethe opportunity to modify or enhance a product during the tournament.For example, based upon feedback received during the first round of atournament, a participant may develop a second version of a digitalproduct which will be judged during the second round of the tournament.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed herein with regard to specific embodiments. However, thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that maycause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essentialfeatures or elements of the invention. The scope of the invention isaccordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, inwhich reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean“one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one ormore.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C”or “at least one of A, B, and C” are used in the claims orspecification, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to meanthat A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present inan embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that anycombination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a singleembodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements ofthe above-described exemplary embodiments that are known to those ofordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by referenceand are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Further, alist of elements does not include only those elements but may includeother elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus.

We claim:
 1. A computer implemented method comprising: presenting, by acomputer-based system, a first question in an interactive assessmenttemplate, wherein the template includes fields which requeststandardized data for assessing an opportunity; receiving, by thecomputer-based system and from a first user, a first response to thefirst question, wherein the first response is part of the standardizeddata; determining, by the computer-based system, a second question basedat least partially upon the first response to the first question,Wherein the first response indicates that the first user is at least oneof an entrepreneur or an inventor; receiving, by the computer-basedsystem, a second response to the second question, wherein the secondresponse is part of the standardized data; providing to the first user,by the computer-based system via an online portal and based at leastpartially upon the standardized data, a plurality of tools fordeveloping at least one of the opportunity or a product associated withthe opportunity; identifying, by the computer-based system, a targetmarket for the opportunity; designing, by the computer-based system, amarket research study for the opportunity and the target market;creating, by the computer-based system and based on a type of theopportunity, a marketing package for the opportunity; presenting, by thecomputer-based system, the opportunity, the marketing package for theopportunity, and results from the market research study to a potentialinvestor; receiving, by the computer-based system, feedback on theopportunity from the investor; and transmitting, by the computer-basedsystem and from a mobile alert tool, a mobile alert to the first user inresponse to the receiving the feedback from the investor.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein, in response the first user being the entrepreneur,the plurality of tools comprises a search tool, an interactiveassessment tool, a statistical scoring tool, an access configurationtool, a recommendations tool, a storage tool, a feedback tool, an expertadvice tool, a web recording tool, a market research tool, a projectmanagement tool, a prototype tool, a demonstration tool, a connect andrecommend tool and a mobile alert tool.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the opportunity comprises at least one of a digital product or adigital service.
 4. The method of claim 2, further comprisingconfiguring, by the computer-based system, the online portal with apersonalized user interface for the first user, wherein the configuringis based upon at least one of the opportunity, an industry or a userpreference.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining, bythe computer-based system and based upon the opportunity, a standard setof processes for developing the opportunity.
 6. The method of claim 1,further comprising determining, by the computer-based system and basedupon the opportunity, a standard set of tools for developing theopportunity, wherein the providing the plurality of tools comprisesproviding the standardized set of tools.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising receiving, by the computer-based system, opportunitydata, wherein the opportunity data comprises a title, a description andat least one of a product image or a link to product information,wherein the product is associated with the opportunity.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the receiving the opportunity data comprises, receivingthe opportunity data via the online portal and based upon the template.9. The method of claim 8, further comprising validating, by thecomputer-based system, the opportunity data based upon predefined rules.10. The method of claim 9, further comprising, in response the firstuser being the entrepreneur, receiving, by the computer-based system, adigital upload comprising at least one of a digital product or a digitalservice.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising creating, by thecomputer-based system, a marketing package based upon at least one ofthe opportunity or the digital product and receiving, by thecomputer-based system and from the first user an approval to allow asecond user access to at least one of the opportunity data or themarketing package.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprisingreceiving, by the computer-based system, feedback from a second user,wherein the second user is at least one of a technical expert, anindustry expert or the investor.
 13. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising receiving, by the computer-based system and from a seconduser, a request for the digital product and transmitting the digitalproduct to the second user.
 14. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising receiving, by the computer-based system, a product evaluationof the digital product from the second user.
 15. The method of claim 13,further comprising determining, by the computer-based system, a productscore for the digital product, wherein the product score is determinedbased upon at least one of a number of downloads of the digital product,a usage duration of the digital product or a product evaluation of thedigital product.
 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving, by the computer-based system, IP documentation for an IPasset; validating, by the computer-based system, the IP documentation;and receiving, by the computer-based system, an IP owner approval of theIP documentation.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprisingdetermining, by the computer-based system and based upon the IPdocumentation, an IP asset rating of the IP asset.
 18. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the IP asset is associated with the opportunity,wherein the opportunity comprises at least one of a digital product or adigital service.
 19. A system comprising: a processor, a tangible,non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the processor, thetangible, non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon that,in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor toperform operations comprising: presenting, by the processor, a firstquestion in an interactive assessment template, wherein the templateincludes fields which request standardized data for assessing anopportunity; receiving, by the processor and from a first user, a firstresponse to the first question, wherein the first response is part ofthe standardized data; determining, by the processor, a second questionbased at least partially upon the first response to the first question,wherein the first response indicates that the first user is at least oneof an entrepreneur and an inventor; receiving, by the processor, asecond response to the second question, wherein the second response ispart of the standardized data; providing to the first user, by theprocessor via an online portal and based at least partially upon thestandardized data, a plurality of tools for developing at least one ofthe opportunity and a product associated with the opportunity;identifying, by the processor, a target market for the opportunity;designing, by the processor, a market research study for the opportunityand the target market; creating by the processor and based on a type ofthe opportunity, a marketing package for the opportunity; presenting, bythe processor, the opportunity, the marketing package for theopportunity, and results from the market research study to a potentialinvestor; receiving, by the processor, feedback on the opportunity fromthe investor; and transmitting, by the processor an from a mobile alerttool, a mobile alert to the first user in response to the receiving thefeedback from the investor.
 20. An article of manufacture including anon-transitory, tangible computer-readable storage medium havinginstructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by acomputer-based system, cause the computer-based system to performoperations comprising: presenting, by the computer-based system, a firstquestion in an interactive assessment template, wherein the templateincludes fields which request standardized data for assessing anopportunity; receiving, by the computer-based system and from a firstuser, a first response to the first question, wherein the first responseis part of the standardized data; determining, by the computer-basedsystem, a second question based at least partially upon the firstresponse to the first question, wherein the first response indicatesthat the first user is at least one of an entrepreneur and an inventor;receiving, by the computer-based system, a second response to the secondquestion, wherein the second response is part of the standardized data;providing to the first user, by the computer-based system via an onlineportal and based at least partially upon the standardized data, aplurality of tools for developing at least one of the opportunity and aproduct associated with the opportunity; identifying, by thecomputer-based system, a target market for the opportunity; designing,by the computer-based system, a market research study for theopportunity and the target market; creating, by the computer-basedsystem and based on a type of the opportunity, a marketing package forthe opportunity; presenting, by the computer-based system, the marketingpackage for the opportunity, and results from the market research studyto as potential investor; receiving, by the computer-based system,feedback on the opportunity from the investor; and transmitting, by thecomputer-based system and from the mobile alert tool, a mobile alert tothe first user in response to the receiving the feedback from theinvestor.